Director Finance Operations Germany (m/f/d)

Fluence (Nasdaq: FLNC) is a global market leader in energy storage products and services and digital applications for renewables and storage. With a presence in 30 global markets, Fluence provides an ecosystem of offerings to drive the clean energy transition, including modular, scalable storage products, comprehensive service offerings, and the Fluence IQ platform, which delivers AI-enabled digital applications for managing and optimizing storage and renewables. The company is transforming the way we power our world by helping customers create more resilient and sustainable electric grids. For more information, please visit fluenceenergy.com.

OUR CULTURE AND VALUES

We are guided by our passion to transform the way we power our world. Achieving our goals requires creativity, diversity of ideas and backgrounds, and building trust to effect change and move with speed.

We are Leading

Fluence currently has thousands of MW of energy storage projects operated or awarded worldwide in addition to the thousands of MW of projects managed by our trading platform—and we are growing every day.

We are Responsible

Fluence is defined by its unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and integrity.

We are Agile

We achieve our goals and meet our customer’s needs by cultivating curiosity, adaptability, and self-reflection in our teams.

We are Fun

We value the diversity in thought and experience of our coworkers and customers. Through honest, forthcoming, and respectful communications we work to ensure that Fluence is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. 

This position will be within the Fluence Digital business unit. Fluence Digital’s IQ platform uses artificial intelligence, advanced price forecasting, portfolio optimization and market bidding to ensure energy storage and flexible generation assets are optimally participating in wholesale electricity markets.

The Director Finance Operations Germany (m/f/d) will be a member of the EMEA Finance team and the Germany Business Unit and will report directly to the Vice President Finance EMEA. This highly visible business unit role will work closely together with the Germany Business Unit Directors for Sales, Delivery, Services and Legal to jointly lead operational activity and growth for our business in Germany demonstrating broad finance operational expertise with a strong sense of ownership.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Director Finance Operations to lead the Germany Finance team to support the growth within the business unit and work together in a seamless professional manner.  The Germany Finance team is responsible for supporting Sales to manage commercial risks and ensure margin protection of project and services opportunities during the sales phase. In addition, it is responsible for robust financial project and business unit reporting and ensuring compliance with internal control requirements in the project execution phase.

Your tasks:

·        Drive achievement of financial results in the Germany Business Unit in close collaboration with the Germany Business Unit Directors for Sales, Delivery, Services and Legal and provide finance advice with respect to business operations and expansion, contract negotiation and other transactions.

·        Provide direction and inspirational leadership to the Germany Finance team.

·        Drive teams at project and business unit level to quantify and reduce risks, identify and secure opportunities and achieve project and business unit forecasts. This includes leading risk and opportunity analytics including liquidated damages and non-conformance cost.

·        Ensure full financial transparency with no surprises through timely and comprehensive project/business unit reporting and forecasting.

·        Lead financial management reporting for the business unit, e.g. monthly actuals & forecasting, cash reporting, forecast & annual budget process for project execution in close cooperation with FP&A and Controllership designated to support the Germany Business Unit.

·        Ensure adherence to commercial terms and conditions in customer and supplier contracts.

·        Ensure adherence to applicable accounting and internal control guidelines.

·        Provide direction for all financial and commercial aspects for project and service opportunities during the sales phase.

·        Ensure timely and accurate management approval process for opportunities and seamless finance handovers to the project execution team.

·        Facilitate lessons learnt from prior bids and tenders to ensure improvement from client satisfaction, process and margin point of view.

Your skills:

·        Bachelor’s degree with major in accounting, business administration or finance; MBA is considered as a plus

·       Minimum of 15 years of experience in commercial project management and contract management, preferable in the energy sector including engineering, procurement, construction and long term services

·        Demonstrated leadership to lead teams in a performance-focused and results-oriented environment

·        Demonstrated capability to drive financial performance of a business

·        Advanced understanding of revenue recognition accounting based on project progression

·        Strong attention to detail with strong problem-solving skills & solution provider with the ability to influence and drive change in way of working, processes and onboarding of new systems

·        Strong project management and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple relationships inside and outside the company

·        Excellent written & verbal English communication skills with focus on succinct communication to senior management

·   Ideally high energy, proactive, hands-on, solutions-oriented contributor, possessing an intellectual curiosity and eager to strive for constant improvements

·   Energy or energy storage business knowledge is an advantage

· Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification desired

Our benefits:

·   Attractive payment package

·   30 days annual vacation

·   Hybrid working in Berlin or Erlangen

·   Flexible working time

·   Company pension plan

·   Kindergarten allowance taxfree (100€/kid/month)

·   Culture based on values within diverse teams, open and transparent communication with a focus on DE&I

·   Personal development (LinkedIn Training, inhouse training, workshops)

·   Sabbatical Option

·   Home office allowance

·   Corporate Benefits 

Fluence IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and fully subscribes to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity to ensure that all applicants and employees are considered for hire, promotion, and job status without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital or familial status.